Joshua Searle

Small Business Britain and BT have launched a free webinar series to help UK small businesses use artificial intelligence to scale, diversify and grow. Sessions led by AI Confidence Coach Julie Begbie will cover prompt design, workflow improvements, tool selection, and identifying business tasks AI can streamline. The programme responds to concerns about data privacy and security, while rising AI adoption indicates strong interest among businesses seeking practical guidance.

More than 87,000 16- and 17-year-olds in England and Wales receive Personal Independence Payment, with over two-thirds of higher-rate recipients claiming for mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions. A teenager working the maximum 12 term-time hours at the under-18 minimum wage would earn about £94 per week, compared with up to £194 in higher-rate PIP. The figures come as the Timms Review describes the current benefits system as no longer fit for purpose and considers long-term reforms. The Government has paused immediate changes, while Andy Burnham has supported stricter benefit conditions combined with more help to move claimants into work.

UK shoppers are reacting positively to the newly launched Strawberry Tango, now permanently added to the range and sold exclusively at Iceland, which is offering multibuy deals. The release follows earlier strawberry‑based Editions flavours and has drawn enthusiastic praise online. Iceland has also brought back Vanilla Coca‑Cola after its disappearance from most retailers, offering it in multipacks as flavoured cola varieties regain popularity. Coca‑Cola continues adjusting its UK lineup amid changing consumer tastes, with several flavours recently discontinued.